Newcastle United are interested in raiding Brighton and Hove Albion for their technical director Dan Ashworth in what would be an ambitious move.
Newcastle interested in Ashworth move
The Sun report that Newcastle’s new owners PIF have added Ashworth to their director of football wish list.
Newcastle would have to pay hefty compensation to land Ashworth, with Brighton reluctant to let him leave any time soon.
What’s interesting is that Newcastle have hired Nick Hammond as a consultant according to The Athletic – and he has been close with Ashworth in the past.
Who is Dan Ashworth?
Ashworth, 50, had a brief playing career with Norwich City before becoming academy director at Peterborough aged just 29.
Ashworth moved on to Cambridge United and then West Bromwich Albion, where he really made a name for himself.
The FA came calling in 2012, making Ashworth their director of elite development. Ashworth is credited for setting the wheels in motion for the recent improvement of the England team.
In 2018, Ashworth left The FA to become technical director at Brighton – and the Seagulls have been impressive on and off the pitch ever since.
Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand love Ashworth
Ashworth is highly-rated and you can understand why Newcastle think he would be ideal to lead their new project.
If Newcastle fans wanted an idea of what they could be getting in Ashworth, then Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand have provided it.
Neville suggested that Ashworth is worth of a top six Premier League club whilst Ferdinand praised him as ‘meticulous’.
That’s high praise, and Newcastle could land a huge addition if they can tempt Ashworth north.
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